Is there a way to easily activate a fresh install of 8.1 on a 8.0 system?

My store manager says it can't be done, but I feel there's a way...the problem is of course 8.1 requires different product keys than 8.0 -- where upgrading to 8.1 also changes the product key -- so 8.0 install media won't take 8.1 keys and visa-versa. So when you only have an 8.0 key, you have to first install 8.0 and then upgrade to 8.1; this is a bit weird because 8.1 is essentially a service pack; first "8.1", then "Update 1", what's next for the rebranding of service packs? I can only fathom they did this to cement their new "rapid release" cycle for consumer editions of Windows.

Note: "Easily activate" means not having to call Microsoft to fix the activation.

Staff Member

If Windows installer can't detect the OEMM key, it means you are using 8.1 (or later) ISO on a PC that comes with 8. So you need to use the generic keys to install appropriate edition & after completion install your OEMM key. The Windows activates automatically if internet connection is available.

Alternately you can use this so there is no need to use generic keys at time of installing.

far too easy. Admittedly we were stumped at first with 8.1 on 8 machines. Now it is as said, install 8.1 on 8 machine with 8.1 gvlk key and then change key to the 8 machines key after install and activate. I always wonder how it is we take the hard road first and then find the shortcut after we already made it to our destination hehe

far too easy. Admittedly we were stumped at first with 8.1 on 8 machines. Now it is as said, install 8.1 on 8 machine with 8.1 gvlk key and then change key to the 8 machines key after install and activate. I always wonder how it is we take the hard road first and then find the shortcut after we already made it to our destination hehe

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That's what we tried doing, but I think it didn't work specifically with retail 8.0 keys, perhaps upgrade keys, where there'd be no OEMM key. But again this is what I've just been hearing; they refuse to help me test it and I've been swamped updating their tools in such a way I can release something soon for ya'll.

And regarding the OEMM key I wasn't quite sure on: if you have a 8.0 OEMM key and are installing 8.1 using Windows Setup, do you need to backup & wipe the OEMM key to make sure Windows Setup doesn't use it?